Peru
Peru
Area: 1,285,215 sq. km
Capital/Main City: Lima
Population: 29.2 million
Government: Democratic, multi-party system
Time: GMT - 5hrs
Religion: Roman Catholic, 89%; Evangelical, 7%; other religions, 4%
Power: 220V/50Hz Plug Type - two round/flat pin plug
What makes Peru so special?
The attraction of a holiday in Peru is in the diversity on offer. This wonderful country combines stunning scenery with a vibrant culture and history. When trekking in Peru, everywhere you go you will see reminders of the country’s rich past, with Spanish Colonial churches rubbing shoulders with Inca ruins. Peru’s dramatic mountains are home to indigenous highlanders, who still live a largely traditional way of life, tending their llamas and cultivating crops that were first developed here thousands of years ago. This mixture of cultures, alongside scenery that ranges from Andean mountains to lush Amazonian rainforests, are what make holidays in Peru truly unforgettable.
Machu Picchu, the so called ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is the most iconic image of Peru, but our trekking holidays can also take you to numerous other Inca ruins and colonial cities. Our tours to Peru usually begin in the Sacred Valley before proceeding on to the unforgettable sight of Machu Picchu. Other highlights that can be taken in on a tour of Peru include the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon rainforest.
The Republic of Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. It is located in the central and western part of the continent, with a 3,080-km Pacific coast and is bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Brazil and Bolivia. The country has three clearly defined geographical regions: the dry coastal area, where the main cities including the capital, Lima, are located: the sierra where the Andes mountain chain runs north to south; and the lush jungle through which the Amazon flows.
History
It is believed that Peru has been populated since Asian migrating populations arrived in 8,000 BC and later became the seat of several prominent Andean civilisations, most notably that of the Incas. The capital of their remarkable empire was established in Cusco, high in the Andes, from where they embarked on a massive territorial expansion. The citadel of Machu Picchu is the star attraction of Cuzco, discovered in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham, and deemed one of the world's finest examples of landscape architecture. The empire was run by a government under royal tutelage and its people mastered mathematics, astronomy, architecture and ceramics and cultivated their land through a system of terraces, called "andenes" (platforms). But in 1533, already weakened by civil war, the Inca empire fell to the Spanish conquistadores. The Incas left no written history and almost all that we know about them comes from the often-biased accounts of the Spanish and from the work of archaeologists. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821 and the remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980.
It is believed that Peru has been populated since Asian migrating populations arrived in 8,000 BC and later became the seat of several prominent Andean civilisations, most notably that of the Incas. The capital of their remarkable empire was established in Cusco, high in the Andes, from where they embarked on a massive territorial expansion. The citadel of Machu Picchu is the star attraction of Cuzco, discovered in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham, and deemed one of the world's finest examples of landscape architecture. The empire was run by a government under royal tutelage and its people mastered mathematics, astronomy, architecture and ceramics and cultivated their land through a system of terraces, called "andenes" (platforms). But in 1533, already weakened by civil war, the Inca empire fell to the Spanish conquistadores. The Incas left no written history and almost all that we know about them comes from the often-biased accounts of the Spanish and from the work of archaeologists. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821 and the remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980.
People
Some 52% of the national population live in the coastal region, 36% in the highlands and 12% in the jungle. Spanish is the official language of Peru and spoken by 80% of the population, but the older Quechua language still survives. About 45% of Peru’s inhabitants are Native Americans, some of whom are descended from the Incas. About 100 other indigenous groups live in the rain forest of eastern Peru in virtual isolation, speaking traditional languages and surviving by hunting, fishing, and agriculture. Some 37% of the country’s people are mestizos, those of mixed white (mainly Spanish) and Native American background, while about 15% percent of Peruvians are of unmixed white descent, and many of the remainder are of black African, Japanese, or Chinese ancestry. Peru has a cultural heritage of almost 20,000 years from ancient cave paintings to the stone and mud-brick monuments left by the successive civilisations such as the Incas. During the colonial period, the Spanish also contributed to painting, sculpture, architecture and works in gold and silver.
Some 52% of the national population live in the coastal region, 36% in the highlands and 12% in the jungle. Spanish is the official language of Peru and spoken by 80% of the population, but the older Quechua language still survives. About 45% of Peru’s inhabitants are Native Americans, some of whom are descended from the Incas. About 100 other indigenous groups live in the rain forest of eastern Peru in virtual isolation, speaking traditional languages and surviving by hunting, fishing, and agriculture. Some 37% of the country’s people are mestizos, those of mixed white (mainly Spanish) and Native American background, while about 15% percent of Peruvians are of unmixed white descent, and many of the remainder are of black African, Japanese, or Chinese ancestry. Peru has a cultural heritage of almost 20,000 years from ancient cave paintings to the stone and mud-brick monuments left by the successive civilisations such as the Incas. During the colonial period, the Spanish also contributed to painting, sculpture, architecture and works in gold and silver.
Economy
Peru is one of the main producers of fish flour, since the South Pacific seaboard is one of the richest in the planet. The country also has, among other minerals, large copper, zinc, and gold deposits, making it one of the richest mining countries, and a great hydroelectric power potential thanks to its rivers. Its rainforest contains important petroleum and gas reserves, whose exploitation is carefully carried out so as not to alter the ecosystem. The coastal region produces cotton, sugar cane and rice, as well as fruit, while the steep mountains and high plateaux of the Andean sierra are a source of potatoes, sweet potatoes, cereals (corn and wheat), quinua and coffee. Meanwhile the main products of the fertile Amazonian jungle are fruit, tropical woods, including ebony and cedars, and refined petroleum.
Peru is one of the main producers of fish flour, since the South Pacific seaboard is one of the richest in the planet. The country also has, among other minerals, large copper, zinc, and gold deposits, making it one of the richest mining countries, and a great hydroelectric power potential thanks to its rivers. Its rainforest contains important petroleum and gas reserves, whose exploitation is carefully carried out so as not to alter the ecosystem. The coastal region produces cotton, sugar cane and rice, as well as fruit, while the steep mountains and high plateaux of the Andean sierra are a source of potatoes, sweet potatoes, cereals (corn and wheat), quinua and coffee. Meanwhile the main products of the fertile Amazonian jungle are fruit, tropical woods, including ebony and cedars, and refined petroleum.
Cities
Lima (population: over 7 million), the vibrant capital of Peru and its main gateway. Francisco Pizarro founded Lima, "the City of Kings", on the 18th of January 1535, and the city was to become the jewel of the Spanish Empire, capital of its most extensive Viceroyalty. It was constructed along the lines of a Roman settlement, with 117 blocks built around the nucleus of a main square, where the Cathedral, the "Cabildo" or town council and the Governor's Palace were located, this last being the residence of Pizarro himself. Today, after being completely restored at the beginning of the twentieth century, the palace is occupied by the Peruvian government executive. Lima is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country and is home to one-third of the nation's total population and a similar proportion of the country's workforce. The city accounts for more than two-thirds of the nation's gross domestic product, tax collections, bank deposits, private investment, physicians, and university students and is the base for almost all government agencies. Lima's old "Cabildo" was refurbished after independence from Spain, and became the Municipalidad (seat of the city authorities), its biggest treasure being a library that has hardly changed since the building was founded. Other famous buildings from that time are the elegant mansions situated on the estates that Pizarro bestowed on the city's founders, and the many churches - the result of fervent devotion to the Catholic faith. The city bustles with living history and movement and is an ethnic melting pot, featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements.
Lima (population: over 7 million), the vibrant capital of Peru and its main gateway. Francisco Pizarro founded Lima, "the City of Kings", on the 18th of January 1535, and the city was to become the jewel of the Spanish Empire, capital of its most extensive Viceroyalty. It was constructed along the lines of a Roman settlement, with 117 blocks built around the nucleus of a main square, where the Cathedral, the "Cabildo" or town council and the Governor's Palace were located, this last being the residence of Pizarro himself. Today, after being completely restored at the beginning of the twentieth century, the palace is occupied by the Peruvian government executive. Lima is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country and is home to one-third of the nation's total population and a similar proportion of the country's workforce. The city accounts for more than two-thirds of the nation's gross domestic product, tax collections, bank deposits, private investment, physicians, and university students and is the base for almost all government agencies. Lima's old "Cabildo" was refurbished after independence from Spain, and became the Municipalidad (seat of the city authorities), its biggest treasure being a library that has hardly changed since the building was founded. Other famous buildings from that time are the elegant mansions situated on the estates that Pizarro bestowed on the city's founders, and the many churches - the result of fervent devotion to the Catholic faith. The city bustles with living history and movement and is an ethnic melting pot, featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements.
Climate
Because of Peru's geographical location, it should have typically tropical weather with abundant rainfalls and high temperatures as well as lush vegetation. However the weather is affected by the Andes mountains and the cold Peruvian Current and South Pacific Anticyclone systems. As a result the Pacific Ocean shores and western side of the Andes receive little rainfall - an annual average of 50 mm compared with the north, where it can exceed 500 mm. In the Highlands or High Andean zone, temperatures depend on the altitude, with icy temperatures and permanent snow and ice fields above16,500ft (5,000 m) and rainfall varying between 100 to 1,000 mm per year. To the east of Andes, there are areas with a moderate and temperate climate as well as others with the permanently humid climate of tropical jungle.
More climate information
Because of Peru's geographical location, it should have typically tropical weather with abundant rainfalls and high temperatures as well as lush vegetation. However the weather is affected by the Andes mountains and the cold Peruvian Current and South Pacific Anticyclone systems. As a result the Pacific Ocean shores and western side of the Andes receive little rainfall - an annual average of 50 mm compared with the north, where it can exceed 500 mm. In the Highlands or High Andean zone, temperatures depend on the altitude, with icy temperatures and permanent snow and ice fields above16,500ft (5,000 m) and rainfall varying between 100 to 1,000 mm per year. To the east of Andes, there are areas with a moderate and temperate climate as well as others with the permanently humid climate of tropical jungle.
More climate information